The new community in Nimes had committed itself to conducting a retreat for prisoners. As it was a delicate undertaking, Eugene expresses doubts about the ability of the actual community to conduct it well because they did not have sufficient time to prepare themselves adequately. He thus suggests that they involve the talents of other Oblates so as to ensure its success.
In fact, this was a principle that Eugene used frequently in drawing up the preaching teams for the parish missions. He tried to put together men from various communities who would assure the success of a particular preached mission. The principle of every community (and each individual) being a self-contained independent pastoral “kingdom” was alien to the mind of Eugene. Everything was a Congregational endeavor.
I find that this retreat in the prisons has been accepted somewhat lightly. One would need to be in a position to make it succeed. Did you not see that you are risking that those who will come after will take it upon themselves to redo your work if, having undertaken it without sufficient means to succeed, grace only co-operated sparingly.
In my opinion, in order to undertake this work with prudence, you should have joined to yourself, who instruct well and have the art of touching souls, someone from amongst us who has the gift of carrying people along. I would have therefore called on our Father Suzanne; with you and him, our Father Honorat would have done well. Alone with you, he leaves something to desire; and, supposing even that good is done, he will not do what is fitting to be done on the first important occasion in a diocese where we appear for the first time.
If you have still time, write to Marseilles, to find out if they would be in a position to help you. For the rest, arrange everything for the best; but in this, as in all decisions that you will be called to make, weigh in the scale not only the good which is apt to be done, but the manner in which it is possible to do it and our situation.
Letter to Pierre Mie, 19 June 1825, EO VI n. 183
Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being.” Mahatma Gandhi
I do love this piece today. Yesterday was a reflection – at least for me – on leadership and today I am looking at the other half of that which seems to be about being a member of a team, part of a community. Eugene seems to be speaking about “being a part of” and so letting the ego go to the back seat. I know for myself I must always try to remember to do small checks – am I trying to do everything myself? Do I really think that I know everything? What will be the effect of my actions further down the road on the rest of my community, my family, my team. Its hard for me to focus on this sometimes in the heat of this fire of passion that fills me. So sure of the grace and of my own vision.
At the same time wanting, needing, to be “a part of”. This speaks to of how we do a job, how we enter in to it. For me it seems I am being reminded to look at how I do something – do I rush into it or do I allow myself enough time to plan and give it my best – perhaps using other resources than just myself. It is always too important to give it anything less than my, our, best.
Isn’t that why we join a team, become a member of a community? Franks wording: “The principle of every community (and each individual) being a self-contained independent pastoral “Kingdom” was alien to the mind of Eugene. Everything was a congregational endeavor.” It’s funny somehow, I am becoming more myself not only in and with God, but with my community, my family. It is only in the “we” that I am finding the “I”.